Dear Editor:
People run for public service for different reasons.
Telling the people what needs to be done — rein in public service wages and benefits, curtail services and perceived freebies, etc., rarely gets you elected.
Watch the U.S. GOP spectacle for president to see this.
So what?
So, I just opened my January utility bill and as always I read the inserted newsletter with a few council highlights: Electric up four per cent or $3.60 a month, sewer up three per cent or 57¢ a month and water up five per cent or $1.75 a month.
Notice the spin to use the monthly amount to lull you to sleep.
“Look Martha. It is only $1.75 a month — one coffee. We can do that.”
The insidious creep comes when you take the effect of compounding; basic math we need to understand.
What if you got a two per cent raise every year?
Sounds good, right. In 18 years, your wages will have gone up about 40 per cent and your five per cent yearly water bill is up, are you ready, a staggering 230 per cent.
Let us try one more example. In 36 years, when you retire (mileage varies), your wages will have doubled but your water bill is now at a mind numbing 551 per cent higher. Shocked or terrified?
Government cannot continue to spend more than it receives in revenue, i.e., taxes and that limit is fast approaching if not already here. You only have to look at Europe.
It is past time for government to get a handle on its spending because inflationary increases over and above wage increases steals from the people.
It makes us poorer every year.
The utility increase is proof of this theft.
I still see no indication of the taxpayer being put first in this regard.
Rick Hanson
Summerland